The £600,000 ITV reality show 'dream home' prize that's become a nightmare for its owners

Tuesday 30 October 2007 22:37 BST

Winners (and losers): Darren Kilner and Stacey Reynolds

It was an optimistic name for a reality TV show.

And for the winners, ITV's Building The Dream has turned out to be anything but.

Twelve couples worked together to build one ideal home in a West Country village.

Every week one couple was evicted until the final pair, Darren Kilner and Stacey Reynolds, were left with the house as their prize.

Since that day, however, the dream surrounding Cedar Barn has been somewhat demolished.

In reality, away from the TV cameras, the couple struggled to adapt to rural life, put the house up for sale - and moved back home to Skegness.

And two years later, it seems few share their vision of what a dream home should be. It has spent two years empty and unsold.

The original £600,000 guide price has now been slashed to £450,000. If a buyer is not found soon, it will be put up for auction.

The four-bedroom property in the picturesque Somerset village of Witham Friary has been unpopular with residents ever since it was built.

They say the house, which first went on the market for £599,950 in August 2005, is too modern for a village filled with thatched cottages.

Mike Bowyer, 56, who lives next door, said: "It is tacky rubbish that has been a blight on the village landscape. It's not at all in keeping with the other properties here and sticks out like a sore thumb in one of the prettiest villages in England."

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Asset or eyesore? The Cedar Barn exterior

Ex-soldier Robert Hinett, 79, who lives opposite, said: "It's horrible. It has useless decor on the inside and looks ghastly on the outside.

"It's been shoddily made and is entirely out of character in this area. It needs blowing up, if you ask me."

Expert guidence: Linda Barker

Programme-maker Zeal TV bought the large plot from a landowner in December 2003. More than 50 production crew descended on the 120-home village to begin the 16-week shoot, where the couples worked under the guidance of celebrity designer Linda Barker.

Former market trader Mr Kilner and his girlfriend, a nail technician, were delighted to be the winners.

In the summer of 2004, Miss Reynolds, now 30, said: "We still can't quite believe we live here sometimes. It is a stunning house."

It has a round built-on kitchen, and one side of the two-level lounge, which is split by a metal spiral staircase, is almost entirely glass. The drive is lined by a faux-Greek colonnade.

Estate agents Cooper and Tanner said there had been offers made over the years but they had fallen through because of "bad luck in the personal circumstances of buyers".

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This kitchen is state-of-the-art with beautiful furnishings and breakfast bar... but its owners and prospective buyers are not impressed

Despite their problems, Mr Kilner is upbeat about the property, which should eventually land him a cash prize instead.

The 29-year-old now lives with Miss Reynolds and their 18-month-old daughter Devon in a £200,000 selfbuilt home in Skegness.

He said: "The countryside life just wasn't for us. We were too far away from our family and friends. I don't think the design was the problem, it's the location you either love or hate. You have to drive everywhere even for a pint of milk or a paper.

"The locals were friendly enough but everyone kept themselves to themselves. I think the TV show didn't help matters - we always felt like outsiders.

"Someone will get a good deal if it goes to auction. And we can't complain as it cost us nothing."